Intent
How have we designed our R.E. curriculum?
Our RE curriculum, based on the locally agreed syllabus, helps children understand different religions and develop their ‘religious literacy’. It does this by first studying each religion in detail and then comparing them in later lessons.
We follow three main teaching methods to ensure a balanced and comprehensive approach:
- Deep Thinking: We challenge children with questions about life, God, what’s right and wrong, and what it means to be human.
- Knowledge and Vocabulary: Children learn about various religions through specific vocabulary and sources.
- Respectful Discussion: Pupils learn to value wisdom from different sources and discuss their views respectfully.
Our aim is to help children understand what people believe and how these beliefs impact their lives. This knowledge helps children reflect on their own beliefs and ways of living.
Children will learn about Christianity, as well as other major religions like Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, and also non-religious beliefs.
We use children’s experiences of religious festivals such as Easter, Diwali, and Passover to enhance their understanding and thinking about different religious traditions.
Implementation
RE Syllabus at Greenacres Primary School
We follow the R.E. Today SACRE syllabus (2021-26) and the Understanding Christianity units. Our long-term plan is a spiral curriculum, meaning we revisit religions to build knowledge over time.
We cover these religions:
- Christianity (Understanding Christianity units)
- Judaism
- Islam
- Hinduism
- Non-religious beliefs and ‘big’ questions
Our RE approach combines three key elements for a balanced understanding:
- Making Sense of Beliefs: Understanding religious and non-religious beliefs, their meanings, and sources.
- Understanding the Impact: Seeing how people practice their beliefs in daily life and in the wider world.
- Making Connections: Reflecting on and linking beliefs to the children’s own lives and thoughts.
Our teaching helps children build on their experiences and expand their understanding of different religious traditions and beliefs.
Special Education Needs in Religious Education
How do we ensure all children can access RE lessons?
RE helps children with SEND build self-confidence and learn about other cultures through discussions. As children share their experiences, everyone gains a better understanding of the world. Adapting lessons ensures all children can access the curriculum.
To support SEND learners in RE, we:
- Adopt Inclusive Teaching Practices: We use visual aids, simplified text, and interactive activities.
- Provide Personalised Support: Individualised plans and targeted support help address specific needs.
- Encourage Peer Support: Collaborative learning allows pupils to learn from each other.
RE allows all pupils to reflect on and consider their own values and those of others by learning about different cultures and religions.
Impact
Assessment is an integral part of every subject. The children are continuously assessed before, during and after the lessons. After each lesson, the children will be assessed using ‘I can’ statements for that lesson found within the planning. Identifying at the end of the lesson whether they feel they have met that target, this will be matched with a tick from the teacher on the SC if they have achieved this.